This year marks the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service, at what could be described as its most challenging year yet. Despite this, we have a lot to thank the NHS for, and here at HCL, we have a year to do just that.

Over the course of 2018, you will be hearing from us about all things great and small that have come, and continue to come from our NHS. So, buckle up and continue to be in awe of one of the nation’s most loved institutions.

The start of the NHS

Founded in 1948, it was born out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth – one of the NHS’s core principles.

When it was launched by the then minister of health, Aneurin Bevan, on July 5 1948, it was based on three core principles:

that it meet the needs of everyone

that it be free at the point of delivery

that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay

These three principles have guided the development of the NHS over the last 70 years and remain at its core.

Has it achieved its principle?

The NHS is now responsible for shaping our experiences of birth, life, health, sickness and death.

With the exception of some charges, such as prescriptions, optical services and dental services, the NHS in England remains free at the point of use for all UK residents. This currently stands at more than 64.6 million people in the UK and 54.3 million people in England alone.

The NHS in England deals with over 1 million patients every 36 hours. It covers everything, including antenatal screening, routine screenings, treatments for long-term conditions, transplants, emergency treatment and end-of-life care.

With staff from all over the world and more than 250 different careers, the NHS has become the envy of the world.

None of this would be possible without the dedicated people behind it; our loyal health and social care heroes. All 1.5million+ of you.

It is with thanks to the NHS that the UK has seen huge medical advances. Not only can we all expect to live longer, but we have eradicated diseases such as diphtheria and polio, and pioneered treatments such as the world’s first IVF baby and the world’s first liver, heart and lung transplant.

The NHS continues to evolve, with patient care thriving on a synergy of compassionate care, and ground-breaking technology. Through extensive research, and no-doubt endless patience we are continuing to leave no stone unturned in a bid to living longer, healthier, more pain-free lives.

The war on cancer continues to go from strength-to-strength, with us not only 50% likely to survive cancer nowadays, but 42% of cancer being preventable through knowledge and prevention methods. Source: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics-for-the-uk

The history of the NHS is one of evolution, of responding to the changing needs of the nation. Today’s NHS is rising to the challenge of a growing and ageing population, which means pressures on the service are greater than they have ever been.

The population of England alone has soared by around 17 million people since the NHS was launched all those years ago, so far more patients now receive life-saving, life-changing care than ever before – and public satisfaction is higher than ten or twenty years ago.

Thank you

As the NHS turns 70, we want to celebrate all the great things the NHS has brought us, and showcase stories from our frontline heroes. To start, we want to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to helping us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and you can too on our dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nhsat70

On behalf of all of us at HCL, we want to thank you for everything you do. Long may the NHS continue.